3 Countries That Disappointed Us At The 2019 Asian Cup
February 4, 2019
The 2019 Asian Cup was indeed a fantastic one. Qatar won the 2019 Asian Cup for the first time, and Almoez Ali broke records and became the player with the most goals scored in a single AFC Asian Cup edition. There were also impressive performances from some teams such as Vietnam, Iran and China.
We also witnessed incredible goals scored and a lot of controversies from VAR. However, they were some teams that disappointed us at the 2019 Asian Cup. Much expectation was placed on them to deliver, and they flopped.
Let’s us find out who they are.
- Australia
Australia is known to be giants when it comes to football in Asia. Much was expected of them.
Australia started the Asian Cup in a sour note after losing 0-1 to Jordan. They went further to win their remaining group games and finished second in six points. After a drab showing with Uzbekistan, which saw them barely qualify to the quarterfinals on penalties, they were eliminated by the United Arab Emirates.
- South Korea
South Korea is four-times Asian Cup winners. They had so many great footballers in their team and looked like going all the way in the competition.
South Korea won all their group stage matches comfortably and finished with nine points. They defeated Bahrain in the knockout stages in the additional minutes of extra time. They were later knocked out of the tournament by eventual winners Qatar by a lone goal.
- Iran
Iran was so superb at the 2018 World Cup in Russia that everyone expected them to at least reach the finals of the Asian Cup.
They began this year’s Asian Cup in style after defeating Yemen 5-0. They easily topped their group and proceeded to the knockout stages. They had comprehensive victories over Oman and China but where knocked out embarrassingly by Japan. Japan defeated them by 3-0.
Which team disappointed you at the 2019 Asian Cup?
This article is brought to us by our Sports Writers Club resident columnist – Collins Michael Nwokolo. Follow him on Twitter and Pinterest.
